Sunday, April 24, 2011

Are you exercising your appreciation muscle?

Probably my biggest goal for myself is to accept the things I cannot change.  On one hand, I must give myself credit for how far I have come, and on the other hand, I have to think about how often I get angry and up in arms about the things I cannot change.  Always in progress, always complete.



I'm reminded a great deal of the four noble truths: the very nature of life is suffering, suffering is caused to our attachments- and probably attachments to how we think things "should be."  There is a way to extinguish the suffering, and the suffering and pain can even lead you to the love and liberation that you know is possible.

Pretty awesome to think of that.  So I'm going to present a challenge to you that I have already presented to myself.  For today, be your own best friend and say all the compassionate and kind things to yourself that you wish others would say.  In doing so, the loving kindness you create will help you to accept the things you cannot change.
As Jill Bolte Taylor said, enlightenment is a thought away.  And it is your choice.  Love that!

-MM

6 comments:

Bob B. said...

Good post! Sounds like a path worth following.

faye said...

I don't even know why I came over here today, but I know I was feeling pissed off and shadowy and give the world the finger-y.

This was actually pretty useful. I think it's my favorite post of yours. I'm still pissed off and shadowy and finger-y, but I said the serenity prayer while I double flipped off the whole world.

sunnylikesunshine90 said...

Great post.

I love that you don't let your Melanoma define who you were or who you are today.

I'm glad that you are standing up in the name of Skin Cancer, yet maintaining a life outside of that (and a teacher, at that. All kinds of amazing :) )

faye said...

Did you already see this?


http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/dear_16yearold_me

faye said...

http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/dear_16yearold_me

faye said...

It won't post, but there should be an "e" at the end.

i2y

I'm Too Young For This!